Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

What you CAN do with down, though, is use it as a second insulating piece if it's really cold but you've been working hard.

When I climb in the winter I work up a sweat, but when I stop to belay my buddy up, I chill. Down is very effective but threatened by moisture. So instead of packing one fat down jacket or one fat synthetic, I pack a thin layer of each. Synthetic (Primaloft) goes on first, then if it's cold enough, down over that. Synthetic largely protects the down from my moisture and I get the benefits of both in a scaleable system.

Not sure how applicable that is to after cycling though...

ja...it's fashion vs function, ££ vs £, perspiration vs sweaty betty

I just put the down on top of my jacket to prevent moisture.

If it's a 'breathable' jacket that works reasonably as advertised, though, your jacket won't be doing that much.

I just douse myself in piss before I put my jacket on and leave the house and get it over with.

Anyone want the deluxe leather race bag? A snip at £595.

Do rapha do boxing gloves?

Do Uniqlo do cardboard boxes?

Does anyone ever get out of here alive?

this.

But do agree that the thumb/cuff thing is really uncomfortable. My cuffs have also completely disintegrated now. I most ignore them.

Thumb thing has been discontinued. There may still be older models for sale that still feature it.

Mine has them and I like them - it's a little fiddly putting the jacket on if you don't want to use them, but it's a matter of seconds to tuck them away.

A lot of my climbing stuff has them, from baselayers to jackets, and I find they really help to keep you warm. I use them almost by default even around town now. The arteries and veins supplying the hands run really close to the skin in the wrists, so you lose loads of heat there - thumb loops really help keep your wrists, and therefore yours hands, toasty warm. They stop draughts when cycling, too, and stop cuffs riding up under gloves.

Honestly, for the sake of a few seconds, they're a killer feature. Why the hate?

Because it's Rapha.

There's a love/hate relationship for most.

Just seen a tweet from Rapha, the belts are now available to order!!!

Fuckthe belts these are only £2800

http://www.rapha.cc/randonne-deposit/

Mine has them and I like them - it's a little fiddly putting the jacket on if you don't want to use them, but it's a matter of seconds to tuck them away.

A lot of my climbing stuff has them, from baselayers to jackets, and I find they really help to keep you warm. I use them almost by default even around town now. The arteries and veins supplying the hands run really close to the skin in the wrists, so you lose loads of heat there - thumb loops really help keep your wrists, and therefore yours hands, toasty warm. They stop draughts when cycling, too, and stop cuffs riding up under gloves.

Honestly, for the sake of a few seconds, they're a killer feature. Why the hate?

In mine the seamed edges have come away from the material. It is definitely the flimsiest bit of the jacket. Plus they have a thick seam in the thumb pit, which can be uncomfortable when riding in the hoods. Not the best thought out or constructed add-on. I tuck them away all the time now. Didn't until the seams came away mind

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2012/nov/07/spoof-website-rapha-cycling

The Guardian proving it has the finger on the pulse, linking the JVA's spoof website, then proceeds to give Rapha a bit of a savaging. Apologies if this is a re

"Strong brands with a clear identity are an easy thing to parody. Given that our overarching objective is to help make road cycling the most popular sport in the world, being exclusive for any reason certainly isn't in our interest." - Rapha

Ok then Rapha if you're serious about being accessable throw a bone to the grass roots and put the price of the classic pieces (like baselayers) back from 'outrageous' to 'pricey'.

Young and cash strapped racers don't ride Rapha and that's of your own making.

Rapha Trousers- are they simply long versions of the 3/4 length shorts?

Rapha Trousers- are they simply long versions of the 3/4 length shorts?

I've got a pair if you want to have a look over, still just down the road. pm me...

Would anyone have last years Cross jersey in M and fancy swapping for an L?

In mine the seamed edges have come away from the material. It is definitely the flimsiest bit of the jacket. Plus they have a thick seam in the thumb pit, which can be uncomfortable when riding in the hoods. Not the best thought out or constructed add-on. I tuck them away all the time now. Didn't until the seams came away mind

Same thing happened to mine, seams started to go. Went back for warranty repair which they sorted pretty pronto, it has to be said.

:(

I couldnt justify at all

Im finding it hard to spend £50 on a jacket

I do. My last three jackets for instance, I paid 210 (the rapha city rain jacket), 300 (an RVLT leather jacket, danish designer I think) and 330 euros (Homecore Jacket, french designer). Worth every penny in my opinion, but I'm not every consumer outthere ;)

I end up using the Rapha CRJ more than any others, while cycling and while I'm off the bike aswell, while remaining fashionable (not everyone cares about it, I do).

Pricey, but damn nice.

Wore my Rapha Softshell all day yesterday. Temperatures between 13 and 7 Celcius, sun, light rain, wind, some hill climbing up to about 8% sustained grade, wicked downhills, 79 miles total.

Was consistently comfortable ALL day wearing it over a long-sleeve wicking baselayer and bibs. Pretty incredible. Definitely worth the money in my opinion!

"Strong brands with a clear identity are an easy thing to parody. Given that our overarching objective is to help make road cycling the most popular sport in the world, being exclusive for any reason certainly isn't in our interest." - Rapha

Ok then Rapha if you're serious about being accessable throw a bone to the grass roots and put the price of the classic pieces (like baselayers) back from 'outrageous' to 'pricey'.

Young and cash strapped racers don't ride Rapha and that's of your own making.

Considering the current price of non-Rapha Sky clobber I don't see that happening any time soon, the opposite more like.

Presumably they only want to make it the most popular sport with specific tax bands

Would anyone have last years Cross jersey in M and fancy swapping for an L?

isnt rapha doing it for free?
I mean downsizing like for like.